Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke elected to powerful position in US Congress

WASHINGTON, Jan 16, CMC – Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has been elected vice chair of the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee.

Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, was elected on Tuesday to serve as vice chair of the full committee on Energy and Commerce in the 116th Congress which became effective earlier this month..

“I am honored to serve as the vice chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 116th Congress,” Clarke said “I look forward to working closely with chairman Frank Pallone, our subcommittee chairs, and my colleagues to address issues of great importance to the American people.”

As the committee’s vice chair, Clarke said her concerns include the safety of migrant children at the southern border, climate resiliency, net neutrality, lowering prescription drug prices, broadband infrastructure, cybersecurity, privacy and consumer protection, and “to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care.”

“The 2018 midterm election reflects the desires of the American people for progress and advances in achieving a quality of life that surpasses that of prior generations. It is my firm belief that we have what it takes to achieve these advances. It just takes our will and resolve to make it so.

“The American people have put their trust in their representatives and are relying on us to govern responsibility in order to achieve legislative results that benefit all Americans,” Clarke added.

Clarke said her role as vice chair will include presiding at full committee hearings or mark-ups when the chairman is not present; serve as a liaison to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC); helping to coordinate and develop messaging for mark-ups and high-profile hearings; and serving as the whip for mark-ups, high profile hearings and other committee activities.